Items on this page are for sale by the Lumpkin County Historical Society or entities associated with the Society that have items of historical interest. Third party items are sold directly by those entities, not the Society, and such transactions are their responsibility.
Items sold directly by the Historical Society have a yellow Add To Cart button near its image. To avoid the $8 mailing charge please make special arrangements to pick up the item by making an email request.
New Item - The Departure of the Blue Ridge Rifles - See it at the bottom of this page.
THE OFFICIAL EARLY HISTORY OF LUMPKIN COUNTY
HISTORY OF LUMPKIN COUNTY FOR THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS 1832-1932 by Andrew Cain
$50
ISBN: 978-0-87152-277-1 Print on Demand Edition 2014, 530 pages
This book traces the early history of Lumpkin County covering the economic and social impact of the gold discovery, and then details the general history of the county up to 1932. A general account of the original inhabitants, the Cherokee Indians, is followed by a description of the "period of Intrusion," when Indians, the Federal Government, Georgia, and individual settlers competed with each other for land in the area. Chapters deal with the earliest settlement in Auraria and the county seat, Dahlonega. The U.S. Branch Mint at Dahlonega is discussed. Lists include muster rolls of over 750 Civil War veterans and all World War I soldiers. The book closes with a chronological listing of approximately 3500 marriages in the county from 1863 to 1932. A name index was compiled for this reprint edition.
Andrew W. Cain was born in the Porter Springs area of Lumpkin County on August 30, 1874 to Jacob and Rebecca Turner Cain. He graduated with honors from North Georgia College in 1898. Upon graduation, Cain taught in Georgia for two years and them moved to Texas where he went on to serve as a principal in Grapeland. It was here he met and married Nancy Woodard.
In 1907, the Cain's moved to the Philippines to answer the call for teachers. There he earned a Masters of Art from the University of Philippines. Returning to the US in 1919 he took several graduate courses from various universities including the University of Georgia and Columbia University. In 1920, Cain took a history professorship at North Georgia College. While teaching at North Georgia College, Cain wrote several books including History of Spanish Normal School, Methods for Young Teachers, Philippine Government, and The History of Lumpkin County.
Cain had two children, Agnes who died at birth and Andrew W. Cain, Jr. On November 8, 1953, Cain passed at the age of 79 at his home in Dahlonega.
This, along with many other fine local historical books, may be purchased directly at the Dahlonega Gold Museum.
THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF DAWSON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Dawson County, Georgia, A History by Faye B. Bruce, Pat D. Floyd and Peggy T. Hulsey, 2015
$43 [ includes shipping and tax]
ISBN 978-1-940395-83-8
Authorized by the Dawson County Board of Commissioners this is the official history of the county. The book, which brings together official records, work by earlier researchers and memories - both written and oral, covers Dawson County before it was formed until the present time. Hundreds of pictures, many colored, illustrate the history of the county.
The book is available at the Dawson County Public Library, 342 Allen Street, Dawsonville, GA 30534, and by appointment [call 706-265-3985] at the Dawson County Historical and Genealogical Society inside the Historical Courthouse, Dawsonville, GA 30534. Books may be ordered by mail from the Society at P.O. Box 1074, Dawsonville, GA 30534 or by email.
THE OFFICIAL DIVING BELL MUG
Commemorative Diving Bell Maroon Mug, 10 oz.
$8
This maroon mug has the Diving Bell logo on the front and Historical Society logo on the back. It was designed and first released at the Diving Bell opening ceremony.
A REPORT ON THE MASSIVE 19th CENTURY AQUEDUCT
The Hand Ditch of Lumpkin County, Georgia by Thomas H.Gresham, 2002
$6,
The 14 mile long Hand Ditch is an aqueduct, or ditch, constructed to provide water to the gold mines near Dahlonega. The water from this massive engineering undertaking was first used to operate powerful water cannons that washed entire hillsides down into sluices as a means of gold extraction. The ditch is a dramatic,vital and under appreciated aspect of gold mining.
This report, commissioned by the Corps of Engineers prior to Camp Merrill's construction of off-base housing, covers the history of the Hand Ditch, gold mining techniques in Lumpkin County and the Ditch today.
44 pages
THE HISTORY OF A MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega by Sallie Sorohan, 2002
$10
When Gold Rush began it was a community affair. Everything was local - the displays, exhibits, parades and the booths. The idea was to promote and share Lumpkin County history with visitors, be a homecoming for prior residents and woo tourists. Today it involves people from all over the southeast.
The book details the start of Gold Rush Days from the 1950's and describes the event up to 2002. Also included is information on all the Gold Rush Kings and Queens during that period.
156 pages
AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE RURAL ONE-ROOM SCHOOLS, 1840's TO 1957
Lumpkin County, Georgia Schools of Yesteryear by Mr. & Mrs. James C. Kidd and Dr. & Mrs. William D Bellamy, 2005
$10
The gold rush brought mostly men to Lumpkin County who were beyond school age and looking to get get rich not an education. It was not until the families of miners, merchants and farmers arrived in the area that providing an education for children became a priority. As a growing population settled in all corners of Lumpkin county small schools, often connected with community churches, were established. This book covers that first effort to offer all children in the county the opportunity to receive a basic education regardless of means. It describes almost all one room schools of that era and gives an insight into what it was like to teach and be taught in such schools.
88 Pages
KEY DATES THAT DEFINE DAHLONEGA'S HISTORY
A Brief Timeline of Dahlonega's Golden History by Bob Whitfield
$8
Dahlonega and the State of Georgia have a rich history beginning in 1732 with the colony founded by James Oglethorpe in Savannah. North Georgia slowly transitioned from a frontier bordering the Cherokee nation into settlements and homes established by Europeans pushing west. The discovery of gold in 1828 escalated this push. New towns were established and new counties defined.
Dahlonega became the center of gold mining activities, and the Federal government established a branch of the U.S. mint there. For many years, the Cherokee negotiated with the Federal government but were slowly removed from their land. This ultimately ended with the final journey of the Trail of Tears in 1838.
The 22 key dates outlined in this booklet give a brief history of Georgia, especially as it relates to Dahlonega.
To order please email Bob Whitfield . The booklet may also be purchased directly at the Dahlonega Gold Museum.
Proceeds from the sale of this booklet benefit the Friends of the Dahlonega Gold Museum.
24 pages.
Lumpkin County Jail Bond
$10
A HIGH QUALITY COPY OF THE ORIGINAL
Lumpkin County issued $100 coupon bonds to finance the construction of the 1884 Jail. The bearer bond was issued at 7% interest on 1 October 1871. This is an excellent quality copy of bond number 1 issued to W. P. Price and bears the signature of W. A. Burnside, the Ordinary of Lumpkin County. The coupons are included at the bottom of the bond.
Own a replica of this piece of history.
The Departure of the Blue Ridge Rifles
$60 [ includes shipping and tax]
A High-Quality, 12x17 unframed, copy of the original including a transcript of the eyewitness account as reported in the July 6th, 1861, issue of the Mountain Signal newspaper.
The family of the late renowned North Georgia artist John Kollock has granted permission for this reproduction of his 1993 painting. It captures the scene when, in 1861, Dahlonega's own boys in grey assembled in front of the Lumpkin County Courthouse before marching off to war.